Soluble urokinase receptor presents biomarker for urogenital tract inflammation

SAN DIEGO — Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, or suPAR, a known marker of systemic inflammation, is detectable in semen, according to research presented here.

Among many biochemical parameters in seminal plasma suggested as inflammation markers, suPAR is the first reliable, sensitive and specific marker to diagnose male accessory gland infection (MAGI), according to researchers.

“Inflammatory conditions are very common situations involving the male reproductive system and an early diagnosis is required in order to promptly counteract the deleterious effects of the inflammatory process on fertility and to suggest the most appropriate therapy,” Giuseppe Grande, MD, of the International Scientific Institute “Paul VI” at the Catholic University in Rome, told Endocrine Today. “Therefore, the determination of a novel and reliable marker of inflammation in seminal plasma is an open challenge.”

Giuseppe Grande

Grande and colleagues investigated the presence of suPAR in semen from 76 patients with MAGI, selected on the basis of andrological evaluation, and 30 men without MAGI to evaluate relationships with urogenital tract inflammation.

Patients were categorized into groups with bacterial MAGI (n = 28) and abacterial MAGI (n = 48) based on semen culture. The researchers designated a suPAR cutoff value of 55.3 ng/mL by receiver operating characteristic curve as diagnostic threshold to detect MAGI.

The investigators assessed C-reactive protein (CRP), total protein, procalcitonin, leucocytes peroxidase and suPAR concentrations in seminal plasma.

Spermiogram parameters were significantly lower in patients compared with controls. No differences in CRP, total protein, procalcitonin and leucocytes peroxidase were seen between-groups. The investigators detected suPAR in all semen samples; suPAR was significantly increased in patients with MAGI vs. controls (median: 78.5 ng/mL vs. 41 ng/mL) and inversely associated with sperm parameters both in patients with bacterial MAGI and in patients with abacterial MAGI.

“Our study suggests for the first time a new role of suPAR as reliable and sensitive marker of inflammation limited to a localized area, in addition to its current role of marker in systemic inflammatory response,” Grande said. “The introduction of suPAR as seminal biomarker in the diagnostic criteria of MAGI could be very helpful to better identify suspected urogenital inflammations.” – by Allegra Tiver

Reference:

Grande G, et al. Poster Board THR-135. Presented at: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting; March 5-8, 2015, San Diego.

Disclosure: Grande reports no relevant financial disclosures.